Washington -- The House of Representatives assailed Saddam
Hussein's regime January 23 in two separate resolutions:
one concerning Scud missile attacks against Israel, the
other related to Baghdad's treatment of allied prisoners of
war (POWs).

House members passed House Concurrent Resolution 41
condemning Iraq's SCUD missile terrorist attacks on Israel
and applauding the Israeli government's policy of restraint
in not responding to the attacks. The resolution reaffirms
U.S. support for Israel and the opinion of the Congress
that Israel has the right to defend itself against the Scud
attacks.

The representatives also passed House Concurrent Resolution
48, a measure condemning the Iraqi government for violating
the Geneva Convention on treatment of POWs.

The following are the texts of the two resolutions as
passed by the House and sent to the Senate for approval:

Whereas Israel is a close democratic friend of the United
States and a major non-NATO ally;

Whereas Iraq has threatened to "burn half of Israel" with
chemical weapons;

Whereas Israel has exhibited exceptional restraint in the
face of those repeated threats;

Whereas Israel agreed to absorb this first strike and
continues to support the implementation of United Nations
Security Council Resolution 678 through the unprecedented
international coalition of forces in the Persian Gulf; and

Whereas every country has the right to defend itself; Now,
therefore, be it:

Resolved by the House of Representative (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress

(1) condemns the unprovoked attack by Iraq on Israel:

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(2) expresses profound sympathy for the loss of life,
casualties and

destruction;

(3) declares heartfelt solidarity with the people of
Israel;

(4) commends the citizens of Israel for their brave and
composed perseverance;

(5) recognizes Israel's right to defend itself;

(6) reaffirms America's continued commitment to provide
Israel with the means to maintain her freedom and security;
and

(7) commends the Government of Israel for its restraint.

(END TEXT, H. CON. RES. 41)

(BEGIN TEXT, H. CON. RES. 48)

Whereas in the Convention Relative to the Treatment of
Prisoners of War (done at Geneva, August 12, 1949;
hereinafter in this resolution referred to as the "Third
Geneva Convention") the international community has
prescribed rules concerning the treatment of prisoners of
war;

Whereas more than 160 nations, including Iraq, are parties
to the Third Geneva Convention;

Whereas the Third Geneva Convention requires the humane
treatment of prisoners of war at all times; prohibits acts
of violence and intimidation against prisoners of war;
prohibits physical and mental coercion against prisoners of
war to obtain information of any kind whatever; provides
that no prisoner of war may at any time be sent to or
detained in areas where he may be exposed to the fire of
the combat zone, nor may his presence be used to render
certain points of areas immune from military operations;
prohibits the public display of prisoners of war; and
requires that a government that is holding prisoners of war
permit representatives of the International Committee of
the Red Cross to visit those prisoners of war;

Whereas beginning on January 19, 1991, captured United
States and allied service members held prisoner by Iraq in
the Persian Gulf conflict have been displayed and
interrogated before television cameras;

Whereas these televised interrogations strongly suggest
that those service members have been subjected to physical
and mental torture; and

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Whereas the Government of Iraq has announced that it
intends to hold captured United States and allied service
members at potential military targets; Now, therefore, be
it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress--

(1) condemns the abuse by the Government of Iraq of
captured United States and allied service members,
including the apparent use of physical and mental coercion;

(2) condemns the Government of Iraq's stated intention to
disperse prisoners of war to potential military targets;

(3) condemns the Government of Iraq's failure, thus far, to
permit representatives of the International Committee of
the Red Cross to visit and interview prisoners of war;

(4) condemns the flagrant and deliberate violations by the
Government of Iraq of the Third Geneva Convention;

(5) calls on the Government of Iraq to comply fully and
immediately with its obligations and responsibilities under
the Third Geneva Convention; and

(6) urges the President, together with our partners in the
international coalition against Iraq and with the United
Nations Security Council, to consider appropriate means for
bringing to justice any individuals in Iraq who are
responsible for violating the rights of prisoners of war
under the Third Geneva Convention.